# NTSB MIA98LA093: Cessna 172N, N8342E, Titusville, FL, March 5, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 5, 1998, 10:48 local (15:48 UTC) - Place: Titusville, FL - Location: 28.5729° N, 80.8204° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Titusville, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5729&lon=-80.8204&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 13, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38468 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA093 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38468/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA093 ## Probable cause loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s), which resulted in a forced landing. Factors relating to the accident were: the lack of suitable terrain and obstructions in the emergency landing area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - base turn - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - wire,static (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated he experienced a partial loss of engine power on base leg for landing. He made a forced landing to the only available forced landing area, which resulted in an in-flight collision with wires and terrain. Examination of the airframe and flight controls revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure or malfunction. The source of the reported partial loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On March 5, 1998, about 1048 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, N8342E, registered to Gateway Aviation Inc., operated as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, reported a partial loss of engine power while on base leg to runway 18 at Titusville, Florida. The pilot made a forced landing to a road (non-suitable terrain) and collided with a wire and crashed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and passenger reported minor injuries. The flight originated from Titusville, about 1 hour 18 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated he requested and was approved for a right base for landing at Titusville. He performed the before landing check, applied carburetor heat and reduced engine power. The engine appeared to sustain an additional loss of power. He increased power, and checked the magnetos with negative results. The airplane would not maintain altitude so he made a forced landing to a road. He observed wires, went below the first set, and the tail of the airplane collided with another set of wires. The airplane nosed over inverted onto the highway. Examination of the airframe, and flight controls revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure or malfunction. Visual examination of the engine assembly, and engine control mechanisms revealed no evidence of an uncontained catastrophic failure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8342E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8342E-2001-10-18), registration cancelled 2001-10-18, S/N 17272190, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17272190 - Airframe hours: 8294 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Charles A.Turner III - Registered owner: Gateway Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 12, 1998, 21 hours before - Departed: TIX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 239 total, 130 in this make and model, 195 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 12 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TIX ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19980305006089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980305006089A), Mar 5, 1998: Cessna 172N, Titusville, FL, Substantial damage. Partial power loss base leg. Hit wire trying for a road. Crashed. Nosed over. No engine defets found. (-23) on March 05, 1998, at approximately 1049 local,… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.